JS, History, 1838–1856, vol. E-1, created 20 Aug. 1855–5 Apr. 1856; handwriting of Robert L. Campbell, , and Jonathan Grimshaw; 392 pages, plus 11 pages of addenda; CHL. This is the fifth volume of a six-volume manuscript history of the church. This fifth volume covers the period from 1 July 1843 to 30 Apr. 1844; the remaining five volumes, labeled A-1, B-1, C-1, D-1, and F-1, continue through 8 Aug. 1844.
Historical Introduction
History, 1838–1856, volume E-1, constitutes the fifth of six volumes documenting the life of Joseph Smith and the early years of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The series is also known as the Manuscript History of the Church and was originally published serially from 1842 to 1846 and 1851 to 1858 as the “History of Joseph Smith” in the Times and Seasons and Deseret News. This volume contains JS’s history from 1 July 1843 to 30 April 1844, and it was compiled in Utah Territory in the mid-1850s.
The material recorded in volume E-1 was initially compiled under the direction of church historian , who was JS’s cousin. Smith collaborated with in collecting material for the history and creating a set of draft notes that Smith dictated to Bullock and other clerks.
Robert L. Campbell, a recently returned missionary and member of the Historian’s Office staff, transcribed ’s notes into the volume along with the text of designated documents (such as letters and meeting minutes). The Church Historian’s Office journal entry for 2 May 1855 pinpoints the beginning of his work: “R. L. C. on Book D forenoon, afternoon began book E.” Campbell’s work on the volume apparently concluded on 5 April 1856; entries in the Historian’s Office journal indicate that he then moved on to other assignments while another clerk, Jonathan Grimshaw, began work on volume F-1, the last manuscript in the series. (Historian’s Office, Journal, 2 May 1855; 5 and 9 Apr. 1856.)
Volume E-1 contains 391 pages of primary text and 11 pages of addenda. The initial entry on page 1637 is a continuation of the 1 July 1843 entry that closed volume D-1. The final entry in volume E-1 is for 30 April 1844.
The 391 pages of volume E-1 document a crucial period of JS’s life and the history of the church. Important events recorded here include
• An account of JS’s 2 July 1843 meeting with several Pottawatamie chiefs.
• JS’s 4 July 1843 address regarding his recent arrest, the Legion, and Mormon voting practices.
• JS’s 12 July 1843 dictation of a revelation regarding eternal marriage, including the plurality of wives, in the presence of and .
• The 13 August 1843 disfellowshipment of and revocation of his priesthood license.
• Dispatch of the first missionaries to the Pacific Islands on 20 September 1843, led by .
• JS’s 1 October 1843 announcement of ’s appointment to a mission to Russia.
• Minutes of a 6–9 October 1843 general conference inserted under the date of 9 October at which pled his case in regard to his 13 August 1843 disfellowshipment and was permitted to continue as counselor in the First Presidency.
• Text of JS’s appeal to the Green Mountain Boys of , inserted under the date of 29 November 1843.
• A 20 January 1844 entry that includes a poem by commemorating the presentation of two copies of the Book of Mormon to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert by .
• JS’s nomination on 29 January 1844 as an independent candidate for the presidency of the .
<March 27> And Whereas there is an almost boundless extent of Territory on the West and South of these , where exists little or no organization of protective government; And Whereas the lands thus unknown, unowned or unoccupied, are among some of the richest and most fertile of the Continent; And Whereas many of the inhabitants of the Union would gladly embrace the opportunity of extending their researches, and acquirements, so soon as they can receive protection in their enterprize; thereby adding strength, durability, and wealth to the nation; And Whereas the red man, the robber, and the desperado have frequently interrupted such research and acquisition without justifiable cause; And Whereas Joseph Smith has offered, and does hereby offer these : To show his loyalty to our confederate union and the constitution of our Republic; To prevent quarrel and bloodshed on our frontiers: To extend the arm of deliverance to ; To protect the inhabitants of from foreign aggression, and domestic broils; To prevent the crowned nations from encircling us as a nation on our Western and Southern borders, and save the Eagle’s talon from the Lion’s paw; To still the tongue of slander, and show the world that a Republic can be, and not be ungrateful; To open the vast regions of the unpeopled West and South to our enlightened and enterprising yeomanry; To protect them in their researches; To secure them in their locations; and thus strengthen the government and enlarge her borders; To extend her influence; To inspire the nations with the spirit of freedom, and win them to her standard; To promote intelligence: To cultivate and establish peace among all with whom we may have intercourse as neighbors: To settle all existing difficulties among those not organized into an acknowledged government, bordering upon the , and territories; To save the national revenue in the nation’s coffers: To supersede the necessity of a standing army on our Western and Southern frontiers; To create and maintain the principles of peace, and suppress mobs, insurrections, and oppression in , and all lands bordering upon the , and not incorporated into any acknowledged national government; To explore the unexplored regions of our continent; To open new fields for enterprize to our citizens, and protect them therein; To search out the antiquities of the land and thereby promote the arts, and sciences, and general information; To amalgamate the feelings of all with whom he may have intercourse, on the principles of equity, liberty, justice, humanity, and benevolence. To break down tyranny and oppression, and exalt the standard of universal peace; Provided he shall be protected in those rights and privileges which constitutionally belong to every citizen of this Republic; Therefore that the said Memorialist may [HC 6:276] have the privilege; and that no citizen of these , shall obstruct, or attempt to obstruct or hinder, so good [p. 1941]